1961, fire station constructed at
1515 Blue Ridge Road. Original building
has two bays.

1962, first apparatus includes
Chevy pumper originally utilized by Western
Boulevard and 1959 International Harvester tanker, 2700 gallons

1962, three rows of display
booths at Fairgrounds destroyed by fire. Worker at Red
Star Oil Company spots blaze in exhibition building.
Firefighters, including two Raleigh units, bring blaze under control
in less than 20 minutes. (September 22, 1962) no23sep62

1964, portable restaurant at
Fairgrounds destroyed by fire. Located between Dorton Arena
and the Red Cross Lounge, the 50 by 100 foot eatery catches fire
with around 6:20 p.m. Between 70 and 150 people are in the
restaurant when the fire starts. First fire truck arrives at
6:32 p.m. Raleigh, Cary, and Apex respond as mutual aid. Fame of
building collapses at 6:45 p.m. Damage is estimated at $100,000.
Fire is watched by thousands of spectators. (October 13, 1964) no14oct64,
rt14oct64

1965, Camp Polk woodworking
shop suffers explosion and fire. One corner of the building
is heavily damaged by 8:15 a.m. explosion. Fire is confined to
one room. Raleigh Fire Department also responds with one unit
from Station 5. (September 23, 1965) rt23sep65

1965, concession stands at State
Fairgrounds burn. The 4 a.m. fire alarm
sweeps through 315-stretch of stands. Public address system
tower also gutted. Damage to stands is about $25,000. Three
units and 22 volunteer firefighters battle blaze. Raleigh Fire
Department also responds with five men and a pumper.
(September 29, 1965) rt29sep65

1969, Wayside Furniture Company destroyed by fire.
One firefighter is injured when a "burned out wall" falls
on him during the 3 p.m. fire at 5425 Hillsborough Street Extension.
B. J. Abbott, the Fairgrounds Fire Chief, is treated at Wake
Memorial Hospital for "a leg broken in two places, cuts on his
hands and first and second degree burns over his entire body"
reports the March 29 edition of the News and Observer. Abbott
was "hosing water on the burning building when the roof
collapsed, knocking over a concrete block wall on him and showering
him with burning debris from the roof." Four rural departments
respond: Fairgrounds, Durham Highway, Yrac, and Swift Creek, as well
as "units from the Raleigh Fire Department." The fire was
"brought under control within about one hour." (March 28
1969)